Opinion: Another Serving Of Pork, Please

A Letter to the Editor from Barry Berman:

“Undemocratic.” “Non-transparent”. “A joke.” These are just some of the assertions put forth by
commentators in in a recent Boston Globe story in response to earmarks secured by Minority Leader Brad Jones for the town of Reading. (GOP Leaders, while quiet on the budget process, collect big local earmarks for districts, May 6).

How’s this for transparency? This fiscal year local aid to the town of Reading increased a scant 1.1%, which does not even remotely keep up with Prop 2.5. While the tone of the article suggests nefarious, back room deals, these earmarks actually represent the return of tax dollars sent by Reading residents and businesses for vital services.

Is the system broken? The Reading delegation of Republican Jones, moderate Democrat Rich Haggerty, and liberal Democrat Senator Jason Lewis have put political differences aside and worked tirelessly, and together, to secure vital funding for the town. Can Washington boast the same collaboration? And what’s the beef with the pork? The earmarks include a van to take indigent seniors to medical appointments, and security and safety upgrades to the high school – hardly government boondoggles.

Until the legislature drastically increases local aid, earmarks will continue to fill a funding gap, and legislators will be judged on their ability to bring them home.

Thank you Brad. Thank you Rich. Thank you Jason. You work with town officials, understand our needs, and fight to bring tax dollars back to the town.

Former Reading Select Board member Barry Berman, Longview Road